Sousuke was starting to feel some of that pressure regarding their lack of training. The buildings on either side of them, while not city-scale close, were enough to make him feel closed in on and anxious. The scents around them were definitely not the friendly park and vendors they’d come from. It was ominous, threatening, and the idea that they might actually have to fight was starting to grow more prominent in his mind. Dammit, why’d that dog have to take this turn?

‘She’s here.’ He knew that much. Her scent was piercing through the air easily, cutting past the stone and other animals that left their scents around. Coming to a stop in the middle of a juncture of alleys, Sousuke glanced to the side, ears flattening a little at the area. This didn’t look good at all. Other dogs. He saw them. But instantly realized those dogs weren’t normal dogs. Not with that fur coloring and the shield-like thing on their heads. Their scent twisted in his noise and he snorted, giving his head a shake at the acidic burn.

A flash of white, just as Rin saw it, and Sousuke twisted towards it, ears flattening more as he realized their little Angel had just corned herself in the alley. He took a step towards the alley, but instantly jerked his ears forward at the sound of that growl. The Shepherd about faced in an instant and swept around behind Rin, planting himself between his god and the creeping canine ayakashi. Canines and teeth bared, lips quivering in a warning snarl, Sousuke’s back arched as a dangerous sound rippled through his throat and chest, matching the phantom beasts’ snarling sounds.

‘Get her. I’ll cover you.’